Toilet seat assembly having a lifting device and one way damping hinges

ABSTRACT

A toilet seat assembly has a novel suction cup assembly and one way damping hinge assemblies for lifting and lowering toilet seat without touching it, and for preventing a slamming action of toilet seat during lowering it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to an improved toilet seat assembly having alifting device for manually lifting and lowering a toilet seat withouthand touching it, and one way damping hinges for lowering the toiletseat without a slamming action and without hand touching the under sideof toilet seat. By incorporating both lifting device and damping hingesof present invention, toilet seat can be lifted and lowered between alift-up position and a lie-down position without hand touching thetoilet seat, and without a slamming action during lowering the toiletseat.

For sanitary reason, numerous attempts have been made in prior art forlifting a toilet seat without making a hand contact with under side oftoilet seat. For example, some proposed unconventional shape orconstruction of a toilet seat in order to provide a finger landing area(such as a cavity or handle) remote from under side of toilet seat.Others proposed tools or mechanisms operated by hand or foot forremotely lifting toilet seat. For various reasons, such as unattractiveappearance, difficulty for cleaning maintenance, space interference,potential safety hazard, costly and complex mechanical parts . . . ,these prior attempts have not been successful.

Therefore, there is still a need for a simple and cost effective liftingdevice that enables lifting a toilet seat without hand touching it.

Numerous attempts have also been made in prior art for lowering a toiletseat without a slamming action. These include damping hinges operated byviscous fluid, torsion springs or frictional devices. However, all priorart encounter drawbacks of high cost, low reliability, complicateddesign, and/or occupying too large space.

Therefore, there is still a need for a simple and cost effective dampinghinge for lowering a toilet seat without a slamming action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of present invention is to provide a lifting device and methodfor lifting and lowering a toilet seat without hand touching it.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand method for lifting and lowering a toilet seat with a single handoperation.

Another object of present invention is to provide a damping device forlowering a toilet seat without a slamming action and without handtouching the under side of toilet seat.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a damping devicewithout requiring usage of viscous fluid or a mechanical spring.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a damping devicethat does not create a damping effect during lifting the toilet seat.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that have the least cost.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that require the simplest installation.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that do not affect the overall appearance of thetoilet seat.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that do not interfere with cleaning maintenance ofthe toilet seat and the area surrounding the toilet.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that occupy the least space in the area around thetoilet without interfering normal activities in the area around thetoilet.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping devise that do not comprise comfortable usage of the toilet.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device at a location that is least likely to be contaminatedand does not require frequent cleaning maintenance.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceand damping device that are easy and convenient for use.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceat a location that prevents user's accidental impact and damage to thedevice.

Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting deviceat a location that prevents user's accidental impact and potential harmto user.

The technique of present invention for achieving the above objects oflifting device is to attach a detachably connecting device to the frontend of toilet lid. When toilet lid is pressed downward against toiletseat in lie-down position, the connecting device is automaticallyengaged to interlock toilet lid and toilet seat together as a combinedunit. This enables user to lift up the combined unit by grasping thefront end of toilet lid. As a result, user is able to lift up the toiletseat without hand touching it. The connecting device is provided with arelease means. When the release means is pulled, the connecting deviceis disengaged to allow toilet lid and toilet seat to operateindependently as separate units.

In present invention, the preferred embodiment of the detachablyconnecting device is a suction cup assembly. When toilet lid is pressedagainst toilet seat in lie-down position, suction cup is depressed to avacuum state, which interlocks toilet lid and toilet seat together as acombined unit. A release means is provided for venting off vacuum, whichdisengages toilet lid and toilet seat as separate units.

The technique of present invention for achieving the above objects ofdamping device is to adopt o-ring(s) to create resistant torque. Aratchet means is provided between the rotating and stationary elements.During lowering the toilet seat, ratchet means is engaged so thatrotating of toilet seat in lowering direction is subject to resistanttorque. During lifting the toilet seat, ratchet means is disengaged sothat rotating of toilet seat in lifting direction is not subject toresistant torque.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a toilet seat assembly of prior art.

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of the toilet seat assembly of presentinvention, having the first preferred embodiment of suction cup assemblyof present invention, in which, toilet seat and toilet lid are inlie-down and lift-up positions respectively.

FIG. 3 is a simplified side view of the toilet seat assembly of presentinvention, having the first preferred embodiment of suction cup assemblyof present invention, in which, both toilet seat and toilet lid are inlie-down position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and exclusive view of the first preferredembodiment of suction cup assembly of present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective and exclusive view of the second preferredembodiment of suction cup assembly of present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective and exclusive view of the third preferredembodiment of suction cup assembly of present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective and exploded views of the first preferredembodiment of one way damping hinge assembly of present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective and exploded views of the second preferredembodiment of one way damping hinge assembly of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a typical toilet seat assembly 1 of prior art whichcomprises of a planar toilet seat 2 pivotally connected to a toilet bow3, and a planar toilet lid 4 pivotally connected to toilet bow 3. FIG. 1shows toilet lid 4 in vertical lift-up position. However, lift-upposition of toilet lid 4 generally exceeds 90 degree vertical position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 represent the toilet seat assembly 5 of present inventionin two different operating conditions. The toilet seat assembly 5comprises of a planar toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 which are pivotallyconnected to a toilet bow 8. Toilet seat assembly 5 is identical totoilet seat assembly 1 of prior art with one exception. The exception isthat the first preferred embodiment of suction cup assembly 9 of presentinvention is attached to the bottom surface of toilet lid 7 adjacent tothe front end of toilet lid 7.

In FIG. 4, the first preferred embodiment of suction cup assembly 9 ofpresent invention comprises of a suction cup 10, an elongated shaft 11,a flange 12 and a release strip 13, which are preferably constructed bya single plastic injection molding process. The suction cup 10 has abase 14 and a suction bell 15. Flange 12 is provided with an adhesivebacking 16 at top end of flange 12, which is adhesively attached to thebottom surface of toilet lid 7 adjacent to the front end of toilet lid7. The top end of shaft 11 is connected to flange 12. The bottom end ofshaft 11 is connected to base 14 of suction cup 10. The release strip 13has a first end connected to the exterior surface of suction bell 15adjacent to the bottom planar surface 17 of suction bell 15, and asecond end connected to shaft 11 adjacent to flange 12.

The suction cup assembly 9 is used for lifting up toilet seat 6. Themethod for lifting up toilet seat 6 in FIG. 2 consists of: First, rotatetoilet lid 7 downward until toilet lid 7 sits on top of toilet seat 6 inlie-down position (See FIG. 3). Second, press toilet lid 7 againsttoilet seat 6 by force. The pressing force depresses suction cup 9 to avacuum state, which interlocks toilet lid 7 and toilet seat 6 togetheras a combined unit. Third, grasp the front end of toilet lid 7 androtate the combined unit upward to lift-up position. In the abovemethod, user is not required to touch toilet seat 6 by hand.

After toilet seat and toilet lid being lifted up, they can be restoredto FIG. 1 configuration by two methods:

The following method applies if suction cup 10 remains in a vacuumstate, and toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 remains interlocked as acombined unit in lift-up position. First, rotate the combined unitdownward to lie-down position. Second, pull the release strip 13 to ventoff vacuum in suction cup 10, which disengages toilet lid 7 from toiletseat 6. Third, rotate toilet lid 7 upward to lift-up position. In thefirst method, user is not required to touch toilet seat by hand.

The following method applies if suction cup 10 has lost vacuum for anyreason, and toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 are disengaged as separateunits in lift-up position. Simply grasp the front end of toilet seat 6and rotates it downward to lie-down position. In this case, it requiresuser to hand touch the under side of toilet seat 6. Under normalcircumstance, this method is not needed due to the fact that suction cup10 is capable of maintaining vacuum, provided bottom planar surface 17of suction bell 15 is properly sealed against the top planar surface oftoilet seat 6.

According to the above operating methods, there is an advantage tointerlock toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 together as a combined unit inlie-down position (FIG. 3). When a male user needs to urinate, it iscertain that both toilet lid 7 and toilet seat 6 will be lifted uptogether as a combined unit. This decreases the possibility ofcontaminating toilet seat 6 by an irresponsible male user. Such distinctfeature is not provided by any toilet seat assembly of prior art.

The above operating methods can be easily performed by user with asingle hand operation. Since suction cup assembly 8 is located at highlyvisible and accessible location, the above operating methods can benaturally and easily adopted by user.

In the suction cup assembly 9 of present invention, the height ofelongated shaft 11 is critical. It must provide adequate clearancebetween interlocked toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7. The clearanceprovides an access to allow user to grasp the front end of toilet lid 7by hand during operation. It also provides an access to the releasestrip 13, and allows user to pull the release strip 13 in slightlyupward direction to vent off vacuum in suction cup 10. Without a properclearance, the release strip 13 can only be pulled in a horizontaldirection. In this case, pulling of release strip 13 can only cause ashear force at the bottom planar surface 17 of the suction bell 15,which can not possibly cause a tip opening at the bottom planar surface17 of suction bell 15 to vent off vacuum in suction cup 10. Asdiscovered through experiments, ideal height of shaft 11 is between oneand two finger height.

FIG. 5 represents the second preferred embodiment of the suction cupassembly 18 of present invention. The second preferred embodiment isidentical to the first preferred embodiment in FIG. 4 with oneexception. The exception is that flange 12 in FIG. 4 is now replaced bya second suction cup 19, which has a suction bell 20, and a base 21fixedly connected to the top end of shaft 22. Preferably, the centralinterior surface of suction bell 20 is provided with adhesive backing23. Adhesive backing 23 provides a positive engagement so that suctioncup assembly 18 can not accidentally fall off into the toilet.

FIG. 6 represents the third preferred embodiment of the suction cupassembly 24 of present invention. The third preferred embodiment isidentical to the first preferred embodiment in FIG. 4 with oneexception. The exception is that the second end of the release strip 25is connected to the flange 26 that is connected to the top end of shaft27.

It is understood that the above preferred embodiments are intended fordemonstrating rather than limiting the scope of present invention.Variations and modifications are allowed without exceeding the scope ofpresent invention. For example, connecting joints between shaft andrelease strip, shaft and base of suction cup, or between shaft andflange can be by other means different from an integral joint. Varioussizes or shapes of suction cup can also be adopted without exceeding thescope of present invention.

It is also understood that application of suction cup assembly ofpresent invention is not restricted. For example, the second preferredembodiment of suction cup assembly (FIG. 5), with or without theinterior adhesive backing in the second suction cup, is ideal fordetachably connecting two objects that require a quick release.Therefore, variation and modification to suction cup assembly of presentinvention to suit a particular application are allowed and consideredwithin the scope of present invention.

In present invention, there is a possibility that suction cup may notsustain vacuum for a long period of time, and thus toilet seat andtoilet lid may disengage as separate units when they are in lift-upposition. In order to achieve the object for lifting and lowering toiletseat without hand touching it at all time, there is a need to provideone way damping hinges in the toilet seat assembly. The one way dampinghinges provide a resistant torque when toilet seat rotates in downwarddirection. Therefore, in the event when toilet seat and toilet lid aredisengaged as separate units in lift-up position, user can lower toiletseat by pushing toilet lid against toilet seat in downward direction. Asa result, user can lower toilet seat without hand touching it, andwithout causing a slamming action of toilet seat.

FIG. 7 is a perspective and exploded views of the first preferredembodiment of one way damping hinge assembly 28 of present invention.One way damping hinge assembly 28 comprising of:

a first sleeve 29 integrally connected to a rear end of a toilet seat30,a second sleeve 31 fixedly connected to a base 32 anchored to a toiletbow (not shown),a third sleeve 33 fixedly connected to a rear end of a toilet lid 34,a fourth sleeve 35 fit within first sleeve 29 and interlocked with firstsleeve 29 by tongues 36 and grooves 37,a shaft 38 having an outside diameter conforming the inside diameter offourth sleeve 35, second sleeve 31 and third sleeve 33, so that shaft 38is fit within fourth sleeve 35, second sleeve 31 and third sleeve 33 toform a rotational axis of toilet seat 30 and toilet lid 34,a pair of compressed elastic o-rings 39 fit between circumferentialsurface of shaft 38 and circumferential surface of grooves 40 in secondsleeve 31, so that o-rings 39 generate a resistant torque duringrotation of shaft 38, anda ratchet means for generating the resistant torque and damping effectonly during lowering the toilet seat 30.

The ratchet means comprises of four integral flexible projectiles 41 andadjacent cavities 42, which are circumferentially and equally spaced 90degree apart in interior surface of fourth sleeve 35. Each ofprojectiles 41 has a front profile end 43 and a rear straight end 44.The straight ends 44 are positioned along a horizontal axis and avertical axis when toilet seat 30 is positioned along the vertical axis.Shaft 38 has an eccentric stud 45 at the front end of shaft 38, whichhas a reduced height smaller than the diameter of shaft 38. The top sideof stud 45 has a profile end 46 and a straight end 47. The profile inprofile end 46 matches the profile in profile end 43 of projectiles 41.

When toilet seat 30 rotates in downward direction, rear straight end 44of projectile 41 is stopped by rear straight end 47 of stud 45, whichforms a positive engagement so that toilet seat 30, fourth sleeve 35 andshaft 38 rotate simultaneously under resistant torque in downwarddirection.

When toilet seat 30 rotates in upward direction, front profile end 43 ofprojectiles 41 is flexibly depressed by front profile end 46 of stud 45in a spring action. This allows front profile end 43 to pass over frontprofile end 46 under minimum friction, so that shaft 38 remainsstationary while toilet seat 30 and fourth sleeve 35 rotate togetherfreely without encountering resistant torque in upward direction.

The above first preferred embodiment can be easily assembled as follows:First, insert fourth sleeve 35 into first sleeve 29, and insert o-rings39 into grooves 40 of second sleeve 31. Second, place toilet lid 34 ontop of toilet seat 30 to line up first sleeve 29, second sleeve 31 andthird sleeve 33. Third, position stud 45 in inclined position and pushshaft 38 into the assembly from the opening end of third sleeve 33.

In FIG. 7, the o-ring grooves 40 are preferably located in interiorsurface of second sleeve 31 to facilitate easy insertion of shaft 38during assembling. Shaft 38 has a gradual smooth transition behind stud45 to facilitate easy insertion of shaft 38 through o-rings 39.Alternatively, o-ring grooves 40 can be located in circumferentialsurface of shaft 38. The first sleeve 29 is provided with close end toprevent contaminant from entering into first sleeve 29.

FIG. 8 is a perspective and exploded views of the second preferredembodiment of one way damping hinge assembly 48 of present invention.One way damping hinge assembly 48 comprises of:

a first sleeve 49 integrally connected to a rear end of a toilet seat50,a second sleeve 51 fixedly connected to a base 52 anchored to a toiletbow (not shown),a third sleeve 53 fixedly connected to a rear end of a toilet lid 54,a fourth sleeve 55 fit within second sleeve 51,a shaft 56 having tongues 57 for interlocking with grooves 58 in firstsleeve 49, a step-down diameter conforming the reduced inside diameterof third sleeve 53, and a step-up diameter conforming the insidediameter of first sleeve 49 and fourth sleeve 55, so that shaft 56 isfit within first sleeve 49, fourth sleeve 55 and third sleeve 53 to forma rotational axis of toilet seat 50 and toilet lid 54,a pair of compressed elastic o-rings 59 fit between interior surface ofsecond sleeve 51 and circumferential surface of grooves 60 located inexterior surface of fourth sleeve 55, so that o-rings 59 generate aresistant torque to cause damping effect during rotation of fourthsleeve 55. Alternatively, grooves 60 can be located in interior surfaceof second sleeve 51, anda ratchet means for generating the resistant torque and damping effectonly during lowering the toilet seat 50.

The ratchet means comprises of four integral flexible projectiles 61 andadjacent cavities 62, which are circumferentially and equally spaced 90degree apart in interior surface of fourth sleeve 55. Each ofprojectiles 61 has a front profile end 63 and a rear straight end 64.The rear straight ends 64 are positioned along a horizontal axis and avertical axis when toilet seat 50 is positioned along the vertical axis.In the step-down diameter section of shaft 56, a longitudinal projectile65 is provided on exterior surface of shaft 56. Projectile 65 has afront profile end 66 and a rear straight end 67. The profile in profileend 66 matches the profile in profile end 63 of projectiles 61.

When toilet seat 50 rotates in downward direction, rear straight end 67of projectile 65 is stopped by rear straight end 64 of projectiles 61,which forms a positive engagement so that toilet seat 50, shaft 56 andfourth sleeve 55 rotate simultaneously under resistant torque indownward direction.

When toilet seat 50 rotates in upward direction, front profile end 63 ofprojectiles 61 is flexibly depressed by front profile end 66 ofprojectile 65 in a spring action. This allows front profile end 66 ofprojectile 65 to pass over front profile end 63 of projectiles 61 underminimum friction, so that fourth sleeve 55 remains stationary whiletoilet seat 50 and shaft 58 rotate together freely without encounteringresistant torque in upward direction.

The above second preferred embodiment can be easily assembled asfollows: First, insert o-rings 59 into grooves 60 in exterior surface offourth sleeve 55, and insert fourth sleeve 55 into second sleeve 51.Second, place toilet lid 54 on top of toilet seat 50 to line up firstsleeve 49, second sleeve 51 and third sleeve 53. Third, positionprojectile 65 offset from projectiles 61 and push shaft 56 into theassembly from the opening end of first sleeve 49.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the hinge assembly of present invention is installedonly on one side of toilet seat assembly. The hinge assembly installedon another side of toilet seat assembly is a mirror image of hingeassembly shown in FIG. 8 or 9. It is understood that such pairing ofhinge assembly of present invention has an advantage of preventing axialmovements of toilet seat and toilet lid during operation.

The above preferred embodiments of the hinge assembly of presentinvention are intended for demonstrating rather than limiting the scopeof present invention. Modifications and variations are allowed withoutexceeding the scope of present invention. It is also understood thatapplication of hinge assembly of present invention is not restricted.Modifications and variations, which allow the hinge assembly of presentinvention to fit in a particular application, or a particularinstallation in various size, shape or configuration, are consideredwithin the scope of present invention. For example, in the firstpreferred embodiment, eccentric stud 45 can be modified to a concentricstud that has profile and straight ends at both top and bottom sides ofthe stud. For another example, in the second preferred embodiment,multiple projectiles 65 can be adopted on exterior surface of shaft 56.The above modification can enhance the performance of the ratchet meansof present invention, if there is sufficient space available forinstalling such modification.

1. A toilet seat assembly comprising of: a planar toilet seat having afront end and a rear end, a planar toilet lid having a front end and arear end, a first connecting means for pivotally connecting said rearend of said toilet seat to a rear end of a toilet bow, a secondconnecting means for pivotally connecting said rear end of said toiletlid to said rear end of said toilet bow, a third connecting means fordetachably connecting said front end of said toilet lid to said frontend of said toilet seat, having a locking means for interlocking saidtoilet lid and said toilet seat together as a combined unit, and areleasing means for disengaging said toilet lid and said toilet seat asseparate units, wherein: said toilet seat capable of being lifted upfrom a lie-down position by pressing said toilet lid against said toiletseat in said lie-down position by force, which activates said lockingmeans of said third connecting means for interlocking said toilet lidand said toilet seat together as said combined unit, so that user iscapable of lifting up said toilet seat by grasping said toilet lid andlifting up said combined unit.
 2. The toilet seat assembly according toclaim 1, in which, said third connecting means is provided by a suctioncup assembly comprising of: a suction cup, having a base and a suctionbell, an elongated shaft, having a bottom end fixedly connected to saidbase of said suction cup, a release strip, having a first end connectedto an exterior surface of said suction bell adjacent to a bottom planarsurface of said suction bell, a means for attaching said suction cupassembly to said bottom surface of said toilet lid adjacent to saidfront end of said toilet lid, wherein: said suction cup capable of beingdepressed to a vacuum state, which provides said locking means forinterlocking said toilet lid and said toilet seat together as saidcombined unit; and said releasing means being provided by said releasestrip, which vents off said vacuum in said suction cup upon pulling saidrelease strip, and disengages said toilet lid and said toilet seat assaid separate units.
 3. The suction cup assembly according to claim 2,in which, said means for attaching said suction cup assembly to saidbottom surface of said toilet lid is provided by a flange fixedlyconnected to a top end of said shaft, having an adhesive backing at atop end of said flange.
 4. The suction cup assembly according to claim2, in which, said means for attaching said suction cup assembly to saidbottom surface of said toilet lid is provided by a second suction cupfixedly connected to a top end of said shaft.
 5. The suction cupassembly according to claim 2, in which, said release strip has a secondend connected to said shaft.
 6. The suction cup assembly according toclaims 2 and 3, in which, said release strip has a second end connectedto said flange.
 7. The suction cup assembly according to claims 2 and 4,in which, said second suction cup is provided with an adhesive backingin central interior surface of said suction bell.
 8. A suction cupassembly comprises of: a first suction cup, having a suction bell and abase, an elongated shaft, having a top and bottom ends wherein saidbottom end of said shaft being fixedly connected to said base of saidfirst suction cup, a release strip, having a first and second endswherein said first end being connected to an exterior surface of saidsuction bell adjacent to a bottom planar surface of said suction bell,and an attaching means for attaching said suction cup assembly to afirst planar surface of a first object; wherein: said first suction cupcapable of being depressed to a vacuum state when said bottom planarsurface of said suction bell of said first suction cup being pressedagainst a second planar surface of a second object; and said releasestrip capable of venting off said vacuum when said release strip beingpulled by force.
 9. The suction cup assembly according to claim 8, inwhich, said attaching means is provided by a flange having a top andbottom ends, said bottom end of said flange being fixedly connected tosaid top end of said shaft, and said top end of said flange having anadhesive backing for attaching said suction cup assembly to said firstplanar surface of said first object.
 10. The suction cup assemblyaccording to claim 8, in which, said attaching means is provided by asecond suction cup having a base, a suction bell and a release tab,wherein: said base of said second suction cup is fixedly connected tosaid top end of said shaft; and said release tab of said second suctioncup is connected to an exterior surface of said suction bell in saidsecond suction cup adjacent to a planar bottom surface of said suctionbell; and said second suction cup is capable of being depressed to avacuum state when said bottom planar surfaces of said suction bell insaid second suction cup being pressed against said first planar surfaceof said first object; and said release tab is capable of venting offsaid vacuum in said second suction cup when said release tab beingpulled by force.
 11. The suction cup assembly according to claim 8, inwhich, said second end of said release strip is connected to said shaft.12. The suction cup assembly according to claims 8 and 9, in which, saidsecond end of said release strip is connected to said flange.
 13. Thesuction cup assembly according to claims 8 and 10, in which, an adhesivebacking is provided at central interior surface of said suction bell ofsaid second suction cup.
 14. A one-way damping hinge assembly comprisesof a first sleeve fixedly connected to a rotator, a second sleevefixedly connected to a stator, a third sleeve fit within said firstsleeve, having a locking means for interlocking said first and thirdsleeves, a shaft fit within said second and third sleeves to form arotational axis of said rotator, and at least a compressed elasticinsert fit between interior and exterior circumferential surfaces ofsaid second sleeve and shaft respectively, which generates a resistanttorque during rotation of said shaft, wherein: said third sleeve havinga ratchet means for performing a positive engagement between said thirdsleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in a first direction, sothat said rotator, said third sleeve and said shaft rotatesimultaneously under said resistant torque in said first direction; andsaid ratchet means performing no engagement between said third sleeveand said shaft when said rotator rotates in a second direction opposedto said first direction, so that said shaft remains stationary whilerotator and said third sleeve rotate together freely withoutencountering said resistant torque in said second direction
 15. Aone-way damping hinge assembly comprises of: a first sleeve fixedlyconnected to a rotator, a second sleeve fixedly connected to a stator, athird sleeve fit within said second sleeve, a shaft fit within saidfirst and third sleeves to form a rotational axis of said rotator, whichhas a locking means for interlocking said shaft and said first sleeve,and at least a compressed elastic insert fit between interior andexterior circumferential surfaces of said second and third sleevesrespectively, which generates a resistant torque during rotation of saidthird sleeve, wherein: said third sleeve having a ratchet means forperforming a positive engagement between said third sleeve and saidshaft when said rotator rotates in a first direction, so that saidrotator, said shaft and said third sleeve rotate simultaneously undersaid resistant torque in said first direction; and said ratchet meansperforming no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft whensaid rotator rotates in a second direction opposed to said firstdirection, so that said third sleeve remains stationary while saidrotator and said shaft rotate together freely without encountering saidresistant torque in said second direction.
 16. The one way damping hingeassembly according to claim 14, in which: said first sleeve is fixedlyconnected to said rotator which is a toilet seat; and said second sleeveis fixedly connected to said stator which is a base anchored to a toiletbow; and said third sleeve is fit within said first sleeve, having saidlocking means for interlocking said first and third sleeves; and afourth sleeve is provided and fixedly connected to a toilet lid; andsaid shaft is fit within said third, second and fourth sleeves to formsaid rotational axis of said toilet seat and said toilet lid; and saidcompressed elastic insert is fit between said interior and exteriorcircumferential surfaces of said second sleeve and said shaftrespectively, which generates said resistant torque during rotation ofsaid shaft; and said third sleeve has said ratchet means for performingsaid positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft whensaid toilet seat rotates in said downward direction, so that said toiletseat, said third sleeve and said shaft rotate simultaneously under saidresistant torque in said downward direction; and said ratchet meansperforms said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaftwhen said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction, so that saidshaft remains stationary while said toilet seat and said third sleeverotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque insaid upward direction.
 17. The one way damping hinge assembly accordingto claim 15, in which: said first sleeve is fixedly connected to saidrotator which is a toilet seat; and said second sleeve is fixedlyconnected to said stator which is a base anchored to a toilet bow; andsaid third sleeve is fit within said second sleeve; and a fourth sleeveis provided and fixedly connected to a toilet lid; and said shaft is fitwithin said first, third and fourth sleeves to form said rotational axisof said toilet seat and said toilet lid, and said shaft has said lockingmeans for interlocking said shaft and said first sleeve; and saidcompressed elastic insert is fit between said interior and exteriorcircumferential surfaces of said second and third sleeves respectively,which generates said resistant torque during rotation of said thirdsleeve; and said third sleeve having said ratchet means for performingsaid positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft whensaid toilet seat rotates in said downward direction, so that said toiletseat, said shaft and said third sleeve rotate simultaneously under saidresistant torque in said downward direction; and said ratchet meansperforms said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaftwhen said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction, so that saidthird sleeve remains stationary while said toilet seat and said shaftrotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque insaid upward direction.
 18. The one way damping hinge assembly accordingto claim 14, in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural numberof first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced insaid interior surface of said third sleeve, and a stud connected to saidshaft, wherein: each of said first projectiles has a front profile endand a rear straight end; and said stud has a front profile end and arear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said studmatches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; andsaid rear straight end of said first projectile is stopped by said rearstraight end of said stud, which performs said positive engagementbetween said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates insaid first direction; and said front profile end of said firstprojectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said studin a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said thirdsleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in said seconddirection.
 19. The one way damping hinge assembly according to claim 16,in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of firstflexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in saidinterior surface of said third sleeve, and a stud connected to saidshaft, wherein: each of said first projectiles has a front profile endand a rear straight end; and said stud has a front profile end and arear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said studmatches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; andsaid rear straight end of said first projectile is stopped by said rearstraight end of said stud, which performs said positive engagementbetween said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotatesin said downward direction; and said front profile end of said firstprojectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said studin a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said thirdsleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said upwarddirection.
 20. The one way damping hinge assembly according to claim 15,in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of firstflexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in saidinterior surface of said third sleeve, and at least a second projectileprovided on exterior surface of said shaft, wherein: each of said firstprojectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end; and saidsecond projectile has a front profile end and a rear straight end, andprofile of said front profile end of said second projectile matchesprofile of said front profile end of said first projectile; and saidrear straight end of said second projectile is stopped by said rearstraight end of said first projectile, which performs said positiveengagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotatorrotates in said first direction; and said front profile end of saidfirst projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of saidsecond projectile in a spring action, which performs said no engagementbetween said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates insaid second direction.
 21. The one way damping hinge assembly accordingto claim 17, in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural numberof first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced insaid interior surface of said third sleeve, and at least a secondprojectile provided on exterior surface of said shaft, wherein: each ofsaid first projectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end;and said second projectile has a front profile end and a rear straightend, and profile of said front profile end of said second projectilematches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; andsaid rear straight end of said second projectile is stopped by said rearstraight end of said first projectile, which performs said positiveengagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toiletseat rotates in said downward direction; and said front profile end ofsaid first projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end ofsaid second projectile in a spring action, which performs said noengagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toiletseat rotates in said upward direction.
 22. The toilet seat assembliesaccording to claims 1 through 7, in which, said first and secondconnecting means are integrated into said one way damping hinge assemblyin accordance with claims 16 and
 19. 23. The toilet seat assembliesaccording to claims 1 through 7, in which, said first and secondconnecting means are integrated into said one way damping hinge assemblyin accordance with claims 17 and 21.